K12ELA007: English Language Arts 7

Unit 8: Research WritingThis unit is an introduction to research writing. You will review a
model paper for organization and strengths. You will also learn about
plagiarism and how to avoid it. While becoming an expert on the research
writing process, you will find and cite appropriate sources, take notes,
and create an outline. You will use the skills you have gained in this
unit to write about a topic of your choice, preferably something that
you find interesting.

Unit 8 Time Advisory
Completing this unit should take approximately 14 hours and 30
minutes.

☐ Subunit 8.1: 1 hour and 15 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2: 13 hours

☐ Subunit 8.2.1: 45 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.2: 3 hours and 15 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.3: 1 hour

☐ Subunit 8.2.4: 30 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.5: 1 hour

☐ Subunit 8.2.6: 30 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.7: 1 hour and 30 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.8: 1 hour and 30 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.9: 1 hour and 30 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.10: 1 hour and 15 minutes

☐ Subunit 8.2.11: 30 minutes

Unit8 Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Describe the structure of a research paper and identify necessary
elements.
- Identify appropriate research sources.
- Choose effective search terms to conduct research.
- Take comprehensive notes and organize information in a cohesive
manner.
- Outline ideas for a rough draft.
- Define plagiarism and discuss how to avoid it.
- Cite sources correctly.
- Paraphrase information from sources.
- Write a clear thesis and support it with details.
- Complete a short research paper that is well organized, easy to
follow, and well written.

8.1 Introduction to Research Writing: Problem and SolutionThis subunit will introduce you to the research writing process,
including the purposes of research papers. You will also review a sample
research paper to see how it is fact-based and organized. This
information will help prepare you for writing your own research paper
later in the unit.

Instructions: Read the information on the purposes and components
of research papers, taking notes in your notebook on the main
components. When finished, make a list of at least five topics that
you personally find interesting (e.g., duck-billed platypus, Babe
Ruth, the Civil War). You will return to this list later.

Instructions: On this webpage, open either of the two links given.
Read the sample research paper twice. In your notebook, write down
five strengths that you found in the paper and then write down a few
areas that need improvement.

8.2 Writing the Research PaperIn this subunit, you will write your own research paper, starting with
selecting your topic and ending with assessing your revised paper. The
following sections will lead you through the entire process, one step at
a time.

Instructions: To begin, you will need to choose your topic. Read
the sections titled “Topic Selection” and “Focus Question.” When you
get to the questions, click on your response choice for each and you
will receive a message stating whether it is correct. Return to your
earlier list of interests from Subunit 8.1.1 and choose one of them.
Narrow your topic so that it is more specific and write down a focus
question that you will later answer.

8.2.2 Conducting Preliminary ResearchNow that you have a specific topic that you would like to learn more
about, you will start doing some research. However, not all sources are
considered to be reputable or appropriate for academic writing. The
following sections will help you get started on choosing good sources
and taking notes.

Instructions: Read the information on how to select appropriate
sources for research papers. Write down a list of sources that would
work for your specific topic, based on the information that you
read. Check out some of the links included on the webpage and save
the ones that will be useful for your own research.

Reading this article and completing the activity should take
approximately 45 minutes.

Instructions: Read the information on how to choose appropriate
search terms for research papers. Come up with a list of three
search terms and start looking for sources online. Review at least
10 sources and choose 3 that you can use for your research paper.
Save the three sources so that you can start taking notes during the
next section.

Reading this lesson and completing the activity should take
approximately 1 hour.

Instructions: Read the sections titled “Research and Source Cards”
and “Taking Notes.” Following the examples given, use index cardsor
an alternative electronic method to create source cards, and then
take notes using your three sources. Make sure that you write your
notes using your own words (not copied directly from the source),
and only write down the necessary information that you will need to
answer your focus question.

Reading these sections and completing this activity should take
approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Instructions: All research papers must have a thesis statement, or
controlling idea, in the introductory paragraph. Read the section
titled “Thesis Statement.” When you get to the questions, click on
your response choice for each, and you will receive a message
stating whether it is correct. Then create a clear thesis statement
for your research paper.

Reading this section and completing the activity should take
approximately 30 minutes.

Instructions: Check that your note cards are organized into
subtopics. Read the section titled “Making an Outline,” review the
example, and create an outline for your research paper. Your outline
should contain four to five paragraphs (introduction, two or three
body paragraphs, and a conclusion).

Reading this section and completing the activity should take
approximately 1 hour.

Instructions: Read this entire sheet, taking notes on the major
points covered. Complete all activities and assessments included in
the worksheet.

Note: It is important to note that plagiarism is a serious matter
and should be avoided at all costs. Schools, especially
universities, have strict policies against plagiarism, which can
range from getting a zero on a paper to being expelled.

Reading this selection and completing the activity should take
approximately 30 minutes.

Instructions: An important part of writing research papers is
referencing your sources properly. You must give credit to all of
the sources that you use, in proper MLA format. To become accustomed
to this format, read the guide titled
“CMSMLABklt7ed” (PDF)
and watch the slideshows on the webpage. Since this format can be
difficult to master, pay special attention to the section on free
citation makers available on the Internet that’s at the bottom of
the webpage. These tools can save you time, but make sure that they
are always set to MLA format.

Completing this activity should take approximately 1 hour and 30
minutes.

Instructions: Read this article and take notes on the definitions
of direct quote, paraphrase, and summary. Return to your note
cards and sources. Check that you are properly paraphrasing and
summarizing. Then return to your sources from earlier (when you
completed the note cards) and find direct quotes. Add a few direct
quotes to your note cards. Finally, choose one or two direct quotes
that you can use in your paper.

Instructions: Read the section titled “Rough Draft.” You are now
ready to write the first draft of your paper. Type your research
paper using your outline and note cards. Based on your outline, your
draft should be four to five paragraphs long. Do not worry about
sentence structure at this point. You will have an opportunity to
edit and revise your paper later.

Reading this selection and writing your rough draft should take
approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Instructions: Congratulations! You have now written your research
paper. The next stop is to revise it so that it sounds professional.
Read the sections titled “Revising and Editing” and “Final Draft,”
and follow the instructions to review your own paper. You will first
read and revise your paper, ensuring that it follows your outline
and grammar conventions. You will then have a peer review your paper
and follow that up by typing the final draft.

Reading these selections and completing this activity should take
approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Instructions: Use the rubric to score your paper. If possible, have
an adult score your paper using the rubric. Multiply the final score
by two to get your grade. If you score under 70, make necessary
revisions to improve your paper.

Note: Grading your own work can sometimes be tricky, so read your
essay out loud -or, even better, have someone read it to you -as you
score your work. The following tips may also be helpful:

- To come up with your score for style and conventions, listen for
places where your sentences all sound the same -not the words
and meaning, but the actual sound. This can help you grade
yourself on varied sentence structure.
- If you hear the same words used frequently, that will help you
determine “your control of words.”
- Did you notice any words out of order or that didn’t quite make
sense when you were reading it aloud? This can help you grade
your spelling, grammar, and word usage (under “Conventions” on
the rubric).
- Does the topic or beginning of each paragraph seem like it is
connected to the previous one in some way? Or do they seem a
little out of order? Think about this as you grade your
“Organization.”
- As for “Content,” does it seem like you hurried through your
discussion, or that you gave details until each topic made
complete sense? Would the sentences or paragraphs have sounded
better with more details?
Completing this activity should take approximately 30 minutes.
Standards Addressed (*Common Core*):
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/1)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/2)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.4](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/4)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.5](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/5)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.6](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/6)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.7](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/7)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.8](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/8)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.9](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/9)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.10](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/7/10)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.2](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/SL/7/2/)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/7/1)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/7/2)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.3](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/7/3)
- [CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4](http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/7/4)
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